RUGBY

Evening Star, Issue 17080, 26 June 1919, Page 3

RUGBY

OTAGO UNIVERSITY DEFEAT CANTERBURY COLLEGE. BY 22 TO 3. The annual match between Otago Uni-, versity and Canterbury College took place at Tahuna Park yesterday afternoon in the presence of about 400 spectators. The game was to have been played on tho Caledonian Ground, but owing to the bad weather conditions the venue of play was shifted to Tahuna Park. Fortunately ■rain and snow held off all the time the game was in progress. The ground was heavy, but, in spite of this, an interesting game was seen, the backs of the local side displaying a number of spectacular passing rushes. The Otago team were superior in all departments of the game, and, had the day been dry, would probably have made an even higher score. The "forwards were ' slightly heavier than those of Canterbury, and their backs showed more pace and combination. Canterbury College kicked off against a breeze, and for a short time invaded Otago's territory. By means of kicks and passing Otago backs cleared, and play went to mid-field. Moloney headed a rush that looked likely to end successfully, but again Otago drove them out. Otago backs oame into action with eome good passing, and Valentine at length got over at the corner. Campbell failed with the kick. Otago 3-0. Allison and Jackeon initiated another forward movement, which was nullified by good defensive play by the Otago backs. A few minutes'afterwards Begg got the leather from a scrum, and passed out smartly. A pretty piece of passing followed, the ball passing through several hands to Makerelh and then to O'Connor, who scored. Campbell's kicß was unsuccessful. Otago 6-0. Moloney came through with another rush, and nicked up and passed to one i«k his backs, who was brought down just near the line. Otago forward!* carried' the leather to the other end, and their backs essayed passing three or four times, but without suee-ss. At this stage the Otago backs were doing all the attacking, and kept their opponents busily defending. Then Young cut in on one ot their rushes, and, running down the line, passed to Couper. who scored Ca-nter-burv's only try. The kick at goal failed. Otago 6-3. Otago attacked, their backs making another passing rush, which ended in Makereth scoring behind the posts. Campbell failed to goal. Otago 9-3. Just after the opening of the second spell the Otago backs were again within an ace of scoring. Young clearing temporarily with a. good kick. Canterbury hnd in their favor a, -slight breeze, which bad lessened a good deal since the first spell. Followiiw.' a Canterbury forward rush Livingstone made a good and rut his side in a good position. Then Malonry came through and followed np_ his own kick, but Maekie, the Otago "fullbuck, cleared. The Canterbury backs attempted passing, but it was ragged and without combination. Clvvreh and Hutchison headed an Otago forward rush, which carried nl-uv to near Canterbury's line. OanU"'burv repulsed., them, and a period of "ive-and-take plav followed. A forward

rush, in which Tod was prominent, gave OfWo the 'advantage, and Canterbury's line"was in danger. Campbell made -n attempt to goal from a free kick, but failed FollO'.ving a, scrum within the twentv-fivo Makercfh picked up from the loose and gave the btf.ll to Ward, who out in smartly and. scored behind the posts. Campbell conrt'-ft/d. O'.ago, 14-3. Ota,;o backs kept un the pressure, and m a lew mii-aites their efforts were again successful. Ward secured the leather from a scramble followinsr a- scrum and passed to Makcreih, who scored. The try was not converted'. Otaeo, 17-3. prom a scrum Berg threw out to Valentino, who neatly dodged several onponcnts and scored a po.-d trv which was converted by Campbell. O'tasro, 22-3. In the concluding stages of the game Canterbury backs made their best effort of the day. but brokedown before the 'Varsity defence. The game ended : Ot''go University ... 22 Canterbury College 3 Mr L. Cameron was referee. AUCKLAND REFEREES. The Auckland Rr.jrby Unicn last nij'ht expressed resentment in regard to the decision of the New Zealand Union to select referees for a.l! representative matches. The union supported a. similar decision made by the Wellington Union, but decided t-J accept the condition in Itanfuiiy Shield matches. The Referees' Association p?s*od a further vote of confidence in the matter of tho amended rules. SERVICE RUGBY TOURNAMENT. 'J''he uncertainties of spoit were further illustrated by the unexpected defeat of the New Zealand Rugby cracks in their tour ivment engagement against the Australian Fifteen (wrote our London correspwv: ? snt on April 17). The latter had nothing v eally at stake, so that they could enter into the gome with nothing to worry them. Then, again, tho New Zealanders had a very hard struggle against the English Army side in their previous match, and no doubt some of the players were feeling the effects of this. Still, it would be unfair to withhold praise to tfiie Australians for their great effort. Certainly they were fortunate to bo able to commence with the strong wind in their backs and the setting sun pinning into their rivals' eyes. Their forwards were excellent, and it was this factor which enabled them to hotb two fades during the opening half. The New Zealanders did better after the interval, and got over once, the try being converted ; but this left them a single point down.

The all-important match between the English and South African Service sides drew a splendid crowd to Twickenham. It was evident thtit tho home men were bent on a great effort, and pressed from the start. Sloan, Cullen, Usher, and Pickles got over for tries, two of which were converted. All the Africans oonld do in the first half was to drop a goal, bo that the English Army crossed over with the good lead of 16 points to 4. Directly after resuming, Dickson made a nice run to score another try, and this also led to tho added points. From this stage the South Africans did much better, and it appeared 'as though tho English players were reserving their strength in view of future requirements. Anyway, South Africa scored two tries, one of which was converted, which left the Englishmen victors by 21 points to 12. In the other week-end fixture the Royal Air Force go.t the better of the Canadian Army side by 11 points to 3, which left the final placings as given: "5 a ■ i 3 1 4 Ah pS i_s fl P-i <, C-i New Zealand ... 5 4 1 0 58 17 ' 8 English Army ... 5 4 10 31 27 8 Australia .'.. ... 5 3 2 0 58 23 6 South Africa ... 5 2 3 0 65 43 4 R.A.P 5 2 3 0 27 69 4 Canada 5 0 5 0 3 113 0 The two teams each claiming 8 points, it became necessa.ry for a deciding game to determine which, should -meet France in the international final. This game, played at Twickenham, created very great interest. Naturally the men were very keen, n,s on the result depended the ownership of the cup given by the King as representing the itngby Service championship, besides the honor of meeting the French Fifteen. Opinions were pretty evenly divided as to tho probable result, and a. great struggle was expected. The match was one of the most strenuous seen at Twickenham, for a. long time. It was contested in the bast of spirits, and if the tackling was hard the rivais always showed a fine sporting spirit. Both teams, however, suffered from nerves, and the exhibition was of a scrambling nature, with the result that the finer points of the game were missing. The New Zeal-a-nders were certainly the better team, and deserved to win on the day's play, the final scores being: New Zer land 1 penalty goal, 2 tries, equalling 9 points ; and the English Army team, 1 penalty goal, equalling 3 points. The King has expressed his intention to be present at the match on Saturday next, ©.nd .will present the sun, expected

•that the Prenchnon will represent a powerful fifteen, and probably include the lamous Georges Oarpentier, whose sporting ekill is by no means oonfiived to boxing. By many pood judges lie is considered to be the second fastest sprinter in France, whilst of late ho has shown fine form as a Ruvger three-q-iarter, whtrj his speed and strength are of value. [The All-Blacks won. —Sporting Ed. E.S.]